Allyl complexes for use in coupling reactions

ABSTRACT

A complex of formula (1), 
                         
wherein, M is palladium or nickel, R 1  and R 2  are independently organic groups having 1-20 carbon atoms, or R 1  and R 2  are linked to form a ring structure with the phosphorus atom, R 3  is selected from the group consisting of substituted and unsubstituted aryl, substituted and unsubstituted heteroaryl, and substituted and unsubstituted metallocenyl, R 4  is an organic group having 1-20 carbon atoms, n is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, X is an anionic ligand. A process for the preparation of the complex, and its use in carbon-carbon or carbon-nitrogen coupling reactions is also provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the U.S. National Phase application of PCT International Application No. PCT/GB2011/051171, filed Jun. 22, 2011, and claims priority of U.S. Patent Application No. 61/357,744, filed Jun. 23, 2010, the disclosures of all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to transition metal complexes and, in particular, to π-allyl complexes, such as π-allylpalladium and π-allylnickel complexes. The invention also relates to the use of the transition metal complexes in coupling reactions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In many transitions metal mediated reactions, the active catalyst is formed in situ by the additional of a transition metal precursor, such as Pd(OAc)₂ or Pd₂(dba)₃, and the ligand in question. In these processes, an excess amount of ligand is usually required, which can be disadvantageous if the cost of the ligand is high, in addition to storage and handling difficulties if the ligand is air sensitive.

As an alternative to preparing the active catalyst in situ, it is possible to prepare pre-formed transition metal complexes which comprise a well-defined transition metal atom to ligand ratio.

WO99/47474 and WO01/16057 (both to Ciba Speciality Chemicals Holdings Inc.) describe various allylpalladium complexes containing tertiary phosphine ligands. The ligands exemplified are trialkylphosphine ligands.

The present inventors have developed complexes which overcome problems associated with the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventors have discovered a class of π-allylpalladium and π-allylnickel complexes, which may be employed to effect a variety of reactions, such as C—N and C—C bond formation reactions. In certain embodiments, the π-allyl complexes are highly active catalysts. In certain embodiments, the π-allyl complexes are stable to air and moisture at ambient temperatures.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a complex of formula (1)

wherein,

M is palladium or nickel,

R₁ and R₂ are independently organic groups having 1-20 carbon atoms, or R₁ and R₂ are linked to form a ring structure with the phosphorus atom,

R₃ is selected from the group consisting of substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, and substituted and unsubstituted metallocenyl,

R₄ is an organic group having 1-20 carbon atoms,

n is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5,

X is an anionic ligand.

In addition, described more fully below is a process to prepare the complexes, as well as processes that employ such complexes.

Definitions

The point of attachment of a moiety or substituent is represented by “—”. For example, —OH is attached through the oxygen atom.

“Alkyl” refers to a straight-chain or branched saturated hydrocarbon group. In certain embodiments, the alkyl group may have from 1-20 carbon atoms, in certain embodiments from 1-15 carbon atoms, in certain embodiments, 1-8 carbon atoms. Unless otherwise specified, the alkyl group may be attached at any suitable carbon atom and, if substituted, may be substituted at any suitable atom. The alkyl group may be unsubstituted or substituted. Typical alkyl groups include but are not limited to methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, iso-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, n-hexyl and the like.

The term “cycloalkyl” is used to denote a saturated carbocyclic hydrocarbon radical. In certain embodiments, the cycloalkyl group may have from 3-15 carbon atoms, in certain embodiments, from 3-10 carbon atoms, in certain embodiments, from 3-8 carbon atoms. Unless other specified, the cycloalkyl group may be attached at any suitable carbon atom and, if substituted, may be substituted at any suitable atom. The cycloalkyl group may unsubstituted or substituted. Typical cycloalkyl groups include but are not limited to cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl and the like.

“Alkoxy” refers to an optionally substituted group of the formula alkyl-O— or cycloalkyl-O—, wherein alkyl and cycloalkyl are as defined above.

“Alkoxyalkyl” refers to an optionally substituted group of the formula alkoxy-alkyl-, wherein alkoxy and alkyl are as defined above.

“Aryl” refers to an aromatic carbocyclic group. The aryl group may have a single ring or multiple condensed rings. In certain embodiments, the aryl group can have from 6-20 carbon atoms, in certain embodiments from 6-15 carbon atoms, in certain embodiments, 6-12 carbon atoms. The aryl group may be unsubstituted or substituted. Unless otherwise specified, the aryl group may be attached at any suitable carbon atom and, if substituted, may be substituted at any suitable atom. Examples of aryl groups include, but are not limited to, phenyl, naphthyl, anthracenyl and the like.

“Arylalkyl” refers to an optionally substituted group of the formula aryl-alkyl-, where aryl and alkyl are as defined above.

“Halo” or “hal” refers to —F, —Cl, —Br and —I.

“Heteroalkyl” refers to a straight-chain or branched saturated hydrocarbon group wherein one or more carbon atoms are independently replaced with one or more heteroatoms (e.g. nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus and/or sulfur atoms). The heteroalkyl group may be unsubstituted or substituted. Unless otherwise specified, the heteroalkyl group may be attached at any suitable atom and, if substituted, may be substituted at any suitable atom. Examples of heteroalkyl groups include but are not limited to ethers, thioethers, primary amines, secondary amines, tertiary amines and the like.

“Heterocycloalkyl” refers to a saturated cyclic hydrocarbon group wherein one or more carbon atoms are independently replaced with one or more heteroatoms (e.g. nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus and/or sulfur atoms). The heterocycloalkyl group may be unsubstituted or substituted. Unless otherwise specified, the heterocycloalkyl group may be attached at any suitable atom and, if substituted, may be substituted at any suitable atom. Examples of heterocycloalkyl groups include but are not limited to epoxide, morpholinyl, piperadinyl, piperazinyl, thirranyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyrazolidinyl, imidazolidinyl, thiazolidinyl, thiomorpholinyl and the like.

“Heteroaryl” refers to an aromatic carbocyclic group wherein one or more carbon atoms are independently replaced with one or more heteroatoms (e.g. nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus and/or sulfur atoms). The heteroaryl group may be substituted or unsubstituted. Unless otherwise specified, the heteroaryl group may be attached at any suitable atom and, if substituted, may be substituted at any suitable atom. Examples of heteroaryl groups include but are not limited to thienyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, triazolyl, thiadiazolyl, thiophenyl, oxadiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidyl, benzoxazolyl, benzthiazolyl, benzimidazolyl, indolyl, quinolinyl and the like.

“Substituted” refers to a group in which one or more hydrogen atoms are each independently replaced with substituents (e.g. 1, 2, 3 or more) which may be the same or different. Examples of substituents include but are not limited to -halo, —C(halo)₃, —R^(a), ═O, ═S, —O—R^(a), —S—R^(a), —NR^(a)R^(b), ═NR^(a), ═N—OR^(a), —CN, —SCN, —NCS, —NO₂, —C(O)—R^(a), —COOR^(a), —C(S)—R^(a), —C(S)OR^(a), —S(O)₂OH, —S(O)₂—R^(a), —S(O)₂NR^(a)R^(b), —O—S(O)—R^(a) and —CONR^(a)R^(b); wherein R^(a) and R^(b) are independently selected from the groups consisting of H, alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroalkyl, heteroaryl, or R^(a) and R^(b) together with the atom to which they are attached form a heterocycloalkyl group, and wherein R^(a) and R^(b) may be unsubstituted or further substituted as defined herein.

“Metallocenyl” refers to a transition metal complex group wherein a transition metal atom or ion is “sandwiched” between two rings of atoms. The metallocenyl group may be substituted or unsubstituted. Unless otherwise specified, the metallocenyl group may be attached at any suitable atom and, if substituted, may be substituted at any suitable atom. Examples of transition metal atoms or ions include but are not limited to chromium, manganese, cobalt nickel and iron. An example of a suitable ring of atoms is a cyclopentadienyl ring. An example of a metallocenyl group includes but is not limited to ferrocenyl, which comprises a Fe(II) ion sandwiched between two cyclopentadienyl rings, wherein each cyclopentadienyl ring may be independently unsubstituted or substituted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention provides a complex of formula (1)

wherein,

M is palladium or nickel,

R₁ and R₂ are independently organic groups having 1-20 carbon atoms, or R₁ and R₂ are linked to form a ring structure with the phosphorus atom,

R₃ is selected from the group consisting of substituted and unsubstituted aryl, substituted and unsubstituted heteroaryl and substituted and unsubstituted metallocenyl,

R₄ is an organic group having 1-20 carbon atoms,

n is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5,

X is an anionic ligand.

The metal M is a precious metal selected from palladium or nickel. In one particularly preferred embodiment, M is palladium.

When M is palladium, M may be Pd(II). When M is nickel, M may be Ni(II).

PR₁R₂R₃ is a monodentate tertiary phosphine ligand. In one embodiment, R₁ and R₂ are independently selected from the group consisting of substituted and unsubstituted straight-chain alkyl, substituted and unsubstituted branched-chain alkyl, substituted and unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted and unsubstituted aryl, and substituted and unsubstituted heteroaryl wherein the heteroatoms are selected from sulfur, nitrogen and oxygen. R₁ and R₂ may independently be substituted or unsubstituted branched- or straight-chain alkyl groups such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, iso-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, dodecyl or stearyl, cycloalkyl groups such as cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl or adamantly, or aryl groups such as phenyl, naphthyl or anthracyl. In one embodiment, the alkyl groups may be optionally substituted with one or more substituents such as halide (F, Cl, Br or I) or alkoxy groups, e.g. methoxy, ethoxy or propoxy. The aryl group may be optionally substituted with one or more (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5) substituents such as halide (F, Cl, Br or I), straight- or branched-chain alkyl (e.g. C₁-C₁₀), alkoxy (e.g. C₁-C₁₀ alkoxy), straight- or branched-chain (dialkyl)amino (e.g. C₁-C₁₀ dialkyl)amino), heterocycloalkyl (e.g. C₃₋₁₀ heterocycloalkyl groups, such as morpholinyl and piperadinyl) or tri(halo)methyl (e.g. F₃C—). Suitable substituted aryl groups include but are not limited to 4-dimethylaminophenyl, 4-methylphenyl, 3,5-dimethylphenyl, 4-methoxyphenyl and 4-methoxy-3,5-dimethylphenyl. Substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl groups such as pyridyl may also be used. In an alternative embodiment, R₁ and R₂ are linked to form a ring structure with the phosphorus atom, preferably 4- to 7-membered rings. Preferably, R₁ and R₂ are the same and are tert-butyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl or substituted phenyl groups. More preferably, R₁ and R₂ are both tert-butyl.

R₃ is selected from the group consisting of substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, and substituted and unsubstituted metallocenyl.

In one embodiment, R₃ is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl. The aryl group may be optionally substituted with one or more (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5) substituents such as halide (F, Cl, Br or I), straight- or branched-chain alkyl (e.g. C₁-C₁₀), alkoxy (e.g. C₁-C₁₀ alkoxy), substituted or unsubstituted aryl, straight- or branched-chain (dialkyl)amino (e.g. C₁-C₁₀ dialkyl)amino), heterocycloalkyl (e.g. C₃₋₁₀ heterocycloalkyl groups, such as morpholinyl and piperadinyl) or tri(halo)methyl (e.g. F₃C—). In one embodiment, R₃ is preferably phenyl or 2-, 3- or 4-dimethylaminophenyl.

In another embodiment, R₃ is a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, for example, substituted or unsubstituted furanyl, thiophenyl, pyrrolyl, pyridinyl or quinolinyl.

In an alternative embodiment, R₃ is a substituted or unsubstituted metallocenyl group. The metallocenyl group may have a structure of formula (2):

wherein,

R₁₀ and R₁₁ are independently organic groups having 1-20 carbon atoms,

p is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, and

q is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.

Metallocenyl groups of formula (2) are described in WO02/11883 which is incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

R₁₀ is an organic group having 1-20 carbon atoms, preferably 1-15 carbon atoms, more preferably 1-10 carbon atoms and even more preferably 1-8 carbon atoms. The number of R₁₀ groups range from 0 to 4 i.e. p is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4. In certain embodiments, p is 0. When p is 2, 3 or 4, each R₁₀ may be the same or different.

R₁₀ may be substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, aryl, (alkyl)HN—, (dialkyl)N—, (dialkyl)amino-alkyl- or alkoxyalkyl. The substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group may be a substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀ alkyl group, preferably a substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₁₀ alkyl and more preferably a substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₈ alkyl, which may be branched or straight-chain, such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, iso-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, dodecyl or stearyl. The aryl group may be substituted with one or more (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5) substituents such as halide (F, Cl, Br or I), straight- or branched-chain alkyl (e.g. C₁-C₁₀), alkoxy (e.g. C₁-C₁₀ alkoxy), straight- or branched-chain (dialkyl)amino (e.g. (C₁-C₁₀ dialkyl)amino), heterocycloalkyl (e.g. C₃₋₁₀ heterocycloalkyl groups, such as morpholinyl and piperadinyl) or tri(halo)methyl (e.g. F₃C—). Suitable aryl groups are phenyl, napthyl, 2-, 3- or 4-methoxyphenyl, or 2-, 3- or 4-halophenyl. The substituted or unsubstituted (alkyl)HN— group may be substituted or unsubstituted methylamino, ethylamino or propylamino. The substituted or unsubstituted (dialkyl)N— group may be dimethylamino, diethylamino or dipropylamino. The substituted or unsubstituted (dialkyl)amino-alkyl- group may be 1-dialkylaminoethyl. The substituted or unsubstituted alkoxyalkyl group may be methoxymethyl, or 1-alkoxyethyl, such as methoxyethyl or ethoxyethyl.

R₁₁ is an organic group having 1-20 carbon atoms, preferably 1-10 carbon atoms and more preferably 1-8 carbon atoms. The number of R₁₁ groups ranges from 0 to 5 i.e. q is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5. In certain embodiments, q is 4 or 5. When q is 2, 3, 4, or 5, each R₁₁ may be the same or different.

R₁₁ may be substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or aryl. The substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group may be a substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀ alkyl group, preferably a substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₁₀ alkyl and more preferably a substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₈ alkyl, which may be branched or straight-chain, such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, iso-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, dodecyl or stearyl. The aryl group may be unsubstituted or substituted with one or more (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5) substituents such as halide (F, Cl, Br or I), straight- or branched-chain alkyl (e.g. C₁-C₁₀), alkoxy (e.g. C₁-C₁₀ alkoxy), straight- or branched-chain (dialkyl)amino (e.g. C₁-C₁₀ dialkyl)amino), heterocycloalkyl (e.g. C₃₋₁₀ heterocycloalkyl groups, such as morpholinyl and piperadinyl) or tri(halo)methyl (e.g. F₃C—). Suitable aryl groups are phenyl, napthyl, 2-, 3- or 4-methoxyphenyl, 2-, 3- or 4-halophenyl, 2- 3- or 4-methylphenyl or 2-, 3- or 4-F₃C-phenyl.

In one preferred embodiment, the metallocenyl group has a structure of formula (3):

wherein R₁₁ and q are as defined above. In another preferred embodiment, R₁₁ is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, napthyl, 2-, 3- or 4-methoxyphenyl, 2-, 3- or 4-halophenyl, 2- 3- or 4-methylphenyl or 2-, 3- or 4-F₃C-phenyl, and q is 4 or 5. In yet another preferred embodiment, R₁₁ is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, 2-, 3- or 4-methoxyphenyl, 2- 3- or 4-methylphenyl or 2-, 3- or 4-F₃C-phenyl, and q is 4 or 5.

In one particularly preferred embodiment, the metallocenyl group has a structure of formula (4):

In one especially preferred embodiment, PR₁R₂R₃ is:

(a) the sterically demanding electron rich QPhos ligand i.e. R₁ and R₂ are tert-butyl and R₃ is a metallocenyl group of formula (4);

(b) Amphos i.e. R₁ and R₂ are tert-butyl and R₃ is 4-dimethylaminophenyl; or

(c) P^(t)Bu₂Ph i.e. R₁ and R₂ are tert-butyl and R₃ is phenyl.

The M atom in the complex of formula (1) is coordinated to an optionally substituted allyl group. R₄ is an organic group having 1-20 carbon atoms, preferably 1-10 carbon atoms and more preferably 1-8 carbon atoms. The number of R₄ groups ranges from 0 to 5 i.e. n is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5. When n is 2, 3, 4 or 5, each of R₄ may be the same or different. In certain embodiments, when n is 2, 3, 4, or 5, each R₄ is the same. In certain embodiments, n is 0 i.e. the allyl group is unsubstituted. In certain embodiments, n is 1. In certain embodiments, n is 2, wherein each R₄ is the same or different.

R₄ may be selected from the group consisting of substituted and unsubstituted straight-chain alkyl, substituted and unsubstituted branched-chain alkyl, substituted and unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted and unsubstituted aryl, and substituted and unsubstituted heteroaryl wherein the heteroatoms are selected from sulfur, nitrogen and oxygen. In one embodiment, R₄ is selected from the group consisting of substituted and unsubstituted straight-chain alkyl, substituted and unsubstituted branched-chain alkyl, and substituted and unsubstituted cycloalkyl. In another embodiment, R₄ is selected from the group consisting of substituted and unsubstituted aryl, and substituted and unsubstituted heteroaryl wherein the heteroatoms are selected from sulfur, nitrogen and oxygen. R₄ may be substituted or unsubstituted branched- or straight-chain alkyl groups such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, iso-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, dodecyl or stearyl, cycloalkyl groups such as cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl or adamantly or aryl groups such as phenyl, naphthyl or anthracyl. In one embodiment, the alkyl groups may be optionally substituted with one or more substituents such as halide (F, Cl, Br or I), alkoxy groups, e.g. methoxy, ethoxy or propoxy. The aryl group may be optionally substituted with one or more (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5) substituents such as halide (F, Cl, Br or I), straight- or branched-chain alkyl (e.g. C₁-C₁₀), alkoxy (e.g. C₁-C₁₀ alkoxy), straight- or branched-chain (dialkyl)amino (e.g. C₁-C₁₀ dialkyl)amino), heterocycloalkyl (e.g. C₃₋₁₀ heterocycloalkyl groups, such as morpholinyl and piperadinyl) or tri(halo)methyl (e.g. F₃C—). Suitable substituted aryl groups include but are not limited to 2-, 3- or 4-dimethylaminophenyl, 2-, 3- or 4-methylphenyl, 2,3- or 3,5-dimethylphenyl, 2-, 3- or 4-methoxyphenyl and 4-methoxy-3,5-dimethylphenyl. Substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl groups such as pyridyl may also be used. In one embodiment, each R₄ is independently a methyl, phenyl or substituted phenyl group.

Suitable optionally substituted allyl groups as coordinated to the M atom are shown below:

In the complex of formula (1), X is an anionic ligand. In one embodiment, X is a halo group, preferably, Cl, Br, I, and more preferably, Cl.

In one embodiment, the complex of formula (1) is a complex of formula (1a):

wherein,

R₁ and R₂ are independently organic groups having 1-20 carbon atoms, or R₁ and R₂ are linked to form a ring structure with the phosphorus atom,

R₃ is selected from the group consisting of substituted and unsubstituted aryl, and substituted and unsubstituted heteroaryl,

R₄ is an organic group having 1-20 carbon atoms, preferably substituted or unsubstituted aryl, or substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl wherein the heteroatoms are selected from sulphur, nitrogen and oxygen,

n is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, preferably 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5,

X is an anionic ligand.

R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, n and X are as described above.

In another embodiment, the complex of formula (1) is a complex of formula (1b):

wherein,

R₁ and R₂ are independently organic groups having 1-20 carbon atoms, or R₁ and R₂ are linked to form a ring structure with the phosphorus atom,

R₃ is selected from the group consisting of substituted and unsubstituted metallocenyl, preferably a metallocenyl of formula (2),

R₄ is an organic group having 1-20 carbon atoms,

n is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5,

X is an anionic ligand.

R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, n and X are as described above.

Preferred complexes of formula (1) are:

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for the preparation of a complex of formula (1),

comprising the step of reacting a complex of formula (5) with PR₁R₂R₃,

wherein,

M is palladium or nickel,

R₁ and R₂ are independently organic groups having 1-20 carbon atoms, or R₁ and R₂ are linked to form a ring structure with the phosphorus atom,

R₃ is selected from the group consisting of substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl and substituted or unsubstituted metallocenyl,

R₄ is an organic group having 1-20 carbon atoms,

n is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5,

X is an anionic ligand.

M, R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, n and X are as described above.

The complex of formula (5) may be prepared according to known methods (see, for example, a) Marion, N.: Navarro, O.; Mei, J.; Stevens, E. D.; Scott, N. M.; Nolan, S. P. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2006, 128, 4101. b) Auburn, P. R.; Mackenzie, P. B.; Bosnich, B. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1985, 107, 2033. c) Dent, W. I.; Long, R.; Wilkinson, G. J. Chem. Soc. 1964, 1585. d) Nicholson, J. K.; Powell, J.; Shaw, B. L. J. Chem. Soc.; Chem. Commun. 1966, 174) each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. Suitable complexes of formula (5) include:

In one embodiment, the complexes of formula (5) include:

The complex of formula (5) and PR₁R₂R₃ may be combined in a solvent. In this case, the solvent is any suitable aprotic solvent or combination of aprotic solvents. Examples of aprotic solvents are toluene, benzene, tetrahydrofuran (THF), dichloromethane (DCM), dioxane, acetone, acetonitrile, dimethylformamide (DMF), N-methylpyrrolidine (NMP), dimethylacetamide (DMAc), methyltertbutylether (MTBE), diethylether, hexane, heptane, pentane or ethylacetate. Preferred solvents are THF, toluene, DCM or a combination thereof. The concentration of the complex of formula (5) in the solvent is preferably about 0.001 mol/L to about 0.25 mmol/L and more preferably, about 0.03 mol/L to about 0.22 mol/L.

Any suitable quantity of PR₁R₂R₃ may be used, although it is preferred that the molar ratio of the complex of formula (5): PR₁R₂R₃ is from about 1:2.0 to about 1:2.2. If desired PR₁R₂R₃ may be used in the form of a salt, for example, a tetrafluoroborate salt.

The reaction is preferably carried out under an inert atmosphere, such as nitrogen or argon.

The process of the invention may be carried out at a temperature in the range of about −10° C. to about 60° C., preferably about 0° C. to about 35° C. and more preferably at about room temperature (i.e. about 20° C. to about 30° C.). It is preferred that the temperature is maintained below the decomposition temperature and so when the complexes of formula (5) or (1) are known to decompose within the temperature ranges given above, the temperature should be maintained below the decomposition temperature.

The reaction may be carried out for a period of from about several minutes to about 24 hours. Usually the reaction is complete in about 18 hours. On completion, a proportion of the solvent may be evaporated if desired prior to recovery of the complex. Furthermore, if desired an anti-solvent (e.g. an alkane, such as hexane) may be used to precipitate the complex from the solvent. The complex product may be recovered directly by filtering, decanting or centrifuging.

Howsoever the complex is recovered, the separated complex may be washed and then dried. Drying may be performed using known methods, for example at temperatures in the range 10-60° C. and preferably 20-40° C. under 1-30 mbar vacuum for 1 hour to 5 days. If desired the complex may be recrystallised.

The catalysts of the present invention may be used for carbon-carbon coupling reactions. Examples of carbon-carbon coupling reactions include the Heck or Suzuki reactions, ketone α-arylation reactions and aldehyde α-arylation reactions. The catalysts of the present invention may also be used for carbon-nitrogen coupling reactions, such as the Hartwig-Buckwald reaction.

In certain embodiments, the π-allyl complexes are highly active catalysts. In certain embodiments, the π-allyl complexes are stable to air and moisture at ambient temperatures. In one preferred embodiment, the π-allyl complexes Pd(π-allyl)QPhosCl and Pd(π-1-crotyl)QPhosCl exhibit high activity and/or stability to air and moisture at ambient temperatures. In particular, Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl has been identified as being a highly active, air-stable catalyst in Pd-catalysed C—N bond formations involving primary and secondary amines, with low catalyst loadings, short reaction times, using aryl and heteroaryl halides ranging from iodides to chlorides.

The invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the following drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an X-ray crystal structure of Pd(π-cinnamyl)QPhosCl.

FIG. 2 is an X-ray crystal structure of Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl

FIG. 3 is an X-ray crystal structure of Pd(π-allyl)QPhosCl.

EXAMPLES

All solvents and reagents were purchased from commercial sources and used as received. All catalysts, ligands or precious metal precursors were obtained from Johnson Matthey Catalysis or Alfa Aesar. Flash chromatography was performed on a Flashmaster Personal (Biotage) using prepacked ISOLUTE silica gel cartridges. ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra were recorded on a Bruker 400 MHz spectrometer at ambient temperature in CDCl₃ or C₆D₆ (Sigma Aldrich). All reactions were carried out in individual Schlenk tubes under a nitrogen atmosphere. The purity of the isolated products was >95% as determined by ¹H NMR, GC/MS or elemental analysis.

Example 1

General Procedure for the Preparation of [Pd(Optionally Substituted (R₄)_(n)-allyl)(X)]₂ Complexes:

Distilled H₂O in a three-necked roundbottom flask was purged with nitrogen for 30 minutes. PdCl₂ and KCl were subsequently added to the flask and the solution was stirred at room temperature for 1 h. Then, optionally substituted (R₄)_(n)-allyl chloride was added and the resulting reaction mixture stirred at room temperature overnight (18-20 hrs). The reaction was extracted with chloroform, and the aqueous layer washed with chloroform three times. The organic layers were combined, dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The crude product was recrystallised from chloroform and methyl tert-butyl ether, and the resulting solid was isolated by filtration and dried in vacuo.

[Pd(π-cinnamyl)Cl]₂

PdCl₂ (590 mg, 3.33 mmol); KCl (473 mg, 6.67 mmol); cinnamyl chloride (1.39 mL, 9.99 mmol); H₂O (83 mL). The dimer was obtained as a yellow solid (494 mg, 58%).

[Pd(π-1-crotyl)Cl]₂

PdCl₂ (590 mg, 3.33 mmol); KCl (473 mg, 6.67 mmol); crotyl chloride (0.97 mL, 9.99 mmol); H₂O (83 mL). The dimer was obtained as a yellow solid (636 mg, 97%).

[Pd(π-prenyl)Cl]₂

PdCl₂ (590 mg, 3.33 mmol); KCl (473 mg, 6.67 mmol); 1-chloride-3-methyl-2-butene (1.13 mL, 9.99 mmol); H₂O (83 mL). The dimer was obtained as a yellow solid (606 mg, 87%).

[Pd(π-prenyl)Cl]₂

PdCl₂ (590 mg, 3.33 mmol); KCl (473 mg, 6.67 mmol); 3-chloride-2-methyl-1-propene (0.98 mL, 9.99 mmol); H₂O (83 mL). The dimer was obtained as a yellow solid (269 mg, 41%).

General Procedure for the Preparation of Pd(π-Optionally) Substituted R₄)_(n)-alkyl)(PR₁R₂R₃)(X) Complexes:

The [Pd(π-optionally substituted (R₄)_(n)-allyl)Cl]₂ and the PR₁R₂R₃ ligand were put in a Schlenk flask. The flask was evacuated and backfilled with nitrogen three times, then the solvent was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for the indicated time and then the solvent was removed in vacuo. The resulting solid was triturated with anhydrous hexane and the solid isolated by filtration and dried in vacuo to give the desired palladium complex. The structures of the various complexes prepared in this manner may be represented as follows:

Pd(π-cinnamyl)(QPhos)Cl

[Pd(π-cinnamyl)Cl]₂ (74 mg, 0.14 mmol); QPhos (223 mg, 0.31 mmol); THF (2.8 mL); 18 hrs. Product obtained as a pink solid (233 mg, 86%); ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 7.48-7.46 (m, 2H, CH2=CH—CH—C₆H₅), 7.37-7.35 (m, 3H, CH2=CH—CH—C₆H₅), 7.14-7.03 (m, 25H, H—Ar), 5.68-5.60 (m, 1H, CH₂═CH—CH—C₆H₅), 5.20 (dd, J 13.2, 9.6, 1H, CH₂═CH—CH—C₆H₅), 5.08 (br s, 1H, Cp-H), 4.84-4.81 (m, 1H, Cp-H), 4.53 (app. s, 2H, Cp-H), 4.02 (br s, 1H, CH₂═CH—CH—C₆H₅), 2.79 (br s, 1H, CH₂═CH—CH—C₆H₅), 1.27-1.07 (m, 18H, PC(CH₃)₃); ¹³C (CDCl₃, 100 MHz): δ 136.4, 135.1, 132.6, 128.6, 128.3, 127.4, 126.5, 107.3, 87.7, 68.0, 53.9, 30.7; ³¹P NMR (CDCl₃, 162 MHz): δ 67.4. Elemental analysis, found: C, 70.39; H, 5.93; Cl, 3.52; P, 3.18; (theoretical C, 70.60; H, 5.82; Cl, 3.66; P, 3.19).

Single crystals of Pd(cinnamyl)QPhosCl were obtained by slow diffusion of 40-60 petroleum ether into a CH₂Cl₂ solution, respectively, at −18° C. (see FIG. 1).

Pd(π-crotyl)(QPhos)Cl

[Pd(π-crotyl)Cl]₂ (200 mg, 0.51 mmol); QPhos (798 mg, 1.12 mmol); THF (10 mL); 18 hrs. The complex was obtained as a pink solid (891 mg, 96%); ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 7.15-7.03 (m, 25H, H—Ar), 5.34 (br s, 1H, Cp-H), 5.09-5.00 (m, 2H, CH₂═CH—CH—CH₃, Cp-H), 4.54-4.53 (m, 2H, Cp-H), 4.49-4.39 (m, 1H, CH₂═CH—CH—CH₃), 3.77 (d, J 6.4, 1H, CH₂═CH—CH—CH₃), 2.54 (d, J 11.6, 1H, CH₂═CH—CH—CH₃), 1.74 (dd, J 8.4, 6.8, 3H, CH₂═CH—CH—CH₃), 1.17 (t, J 13.2, 18H, PC(CH₃)₃); ¹³C (CDCl₃, 100 MHz): δ 135.2, 132.6, 127.3, 126.5, 113.2, 103.0, 102.7, 87.7, 80.8, 80.1, 52.2, 37.8, 30.6; ³¹P NMR (CDCl₃, 162 MHz): δ 65.{tilde over (0)}. Elemental analysis, found: C, 68.90; H, 6.16; Cl, 3.77; P, 3.40; (theoretical: C, 68.81; H, 6.00; Cl, 3.91; P, 3.41).

Single crystals of Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl were obtained by slow diffusion of 40-60 petroleum ether into an EtOAc solution at −18° C. (see FIG. 2).

Pd(π-prenyl)(QPhos)Cl

[Pd(π-prenyl)Cl]₂ (200 mg, 0.48 mmol); QPhos (751 mg, 1.06 mmol); THF (10 mL); 18 hrs. Product obtained as a pink solid (867 mg, 98%); ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 7.19-7.04 (m, 25H⁻, C6H5), 5.44 (br s, 1H, Cp-H), 4.94-4.81 (m, 2H, CH₂═CH—(CH₃)₂, Cp-H), 4.51 (s, 2H, Cp-H), 3.52 (d, J 6.8, 1H CH₂═CH—(CH₃)₂), 2.71 (d, J 12.0, CH₂═CH—(CH₃)₂), 1.80 (d, J 8.4, 3H, CH₂═CH—(CH₃)₂), 1.62 (t, J 7.2, 3H, CH₂═CH—(CH₃)₂), 1.24 (d, J 14.4, 9H, PC(CH₃)₃), 1.15 (d, J 14.4, 9H, PC(CH₃)₃); ¹³C (CDCl₃, 100 MHz): δ 135.2, 132.6, 127.3, 126.5, 121.2, 106.8, 87.7, 80.3, 47.4, 37.8, 30.9, 30.6; ³¹P NMR (CDCl₃, 162 MHz): δ 68.3. Elemental analysis, found: C, 68.81; H, 6.44; Cl, 4.57; P, 3.25; (theoretical C, 69.06; H, 6.12; Cl, 3.85; P, 3.36).

Pd(π-2-crotyl)(QPhos)Cl

[Pd(π-2-crotyl)Cl]₂ (200 mg, 0.51 mmol); QPhos (798 mg, 1.12 mmol); THF (5 mL); 18 hrs. The complex was obtained as a pink solid (788 mg, 85%); ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 7.19-6.98 (m, 25H, H—Ar), 5.27 (br s, 1H, Cp-H), 4.93 (br s, 1H, Cp-H), 4.65 (dd, J 6.4, 2.8, 1H, CH₂═C(CH₃)—CH₂), 4.55 (br s, 2H, Cp-H), 3.84 (d, J 2.8, 1H, CH₂═C(CH₃)—CH₂), 3.77 (d, J 8.4, 1H, CH₂═C(CH₃)—CH₂), 2.68 (s, 1H, CH₂═C(CH₃)—CH₂), 1.94 (s, 3H, CH₂═C(CH₃)—CH₂), 1.18 (d, J 14.0, 9H, PC(CH₃)₃), 1.13 (d, J 14.0, 9H, PC(CH₃)₃); ¹³C (CDCl₃, 100 MHz): δ 134.5, 131.9, 128.6, 126.7, 126.6, 125.9, 87.1, 79.4, 57.2, 30.0, 29.9, 29.6, 29.5, 21.8; ³¹P NMR (CDCl₃, 162 MHz): δ 62.0. Elemental analysis, found: C, 69.59; H, 6.23; Cl, 3.41; P, 3.42; (theoretical C, 68.81; H, 6.00; Cl, 3.91; P, 3.41).

Pd(π-allyl)QPhosCl

[Pd(π-allyl)Cl]₂ (2.0 mmol); QPhos (4.4 mmol); THF (45 mL); 18 hrs. The product was obtained as a pink solid (3.2 g, 90%); ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 7.17-7.01 (m, 25H⁻, C₆H₅), 5.46-5.36 (m, 1H, CH₂═CH—CH₂), 5.33 (br s, 1H, Fe—H), 5.08 (br s, 1H, Fe—H), 4.83 (t, J 6.8, 1H, CH₂═CH—CH₂), 4.56 (br s, 1H, Fe—H), 4.54 (br s, 1H, Fe—H), 4.04 (d, J 4.8, 1H, CH₂═CH—CH₂), 3.87 (dd, J 13.6, 8.4, CH₂═CH—CH₂), 2.78 (d, J 12.4, 2H, CH₂═CH—CH₂), 1.17 (d, J 14.0, PC(CH₃)₃); ¹³C (CDCl₃, 100 MHz): δ 135.2, 132.7, 132.5, 132.1, 127.3, 126.5, 114.2, 87.8, 83.5, 79.7, 67.1, 57.5, 37.8, 30.5; ³¹P NMR (CDCl₃, 162 MHz): δ 61.8. Elemental analysis, found: C, 68.40; H, 6.00; Cl, 3.83; P, 3.42; (theoretical C, 68.54; H, 5.87; Cl, 3.97; P, 3.47).

Single crystals of Pd(π-allyl)QPhosCl were obtained by slow diffusion of diethyl ether into a CH₂Cl₂ solution (see FIG. 3).

The X-ray structures of Pd(π-allyl)QPhosCl and Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl (see FIG. 2) are different in terms of the opposite orientation of the halide, presumably due to the steric effect of the Me group on the 3-position of the allyl in Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl.

Pd(π-allyl)(Amphos)Cl

[Pd(π-allyl)Cl]₂ (311 mg, 0.85 mmol); Amphos (496 mg, 1.87 mmol); THF (17 mL); 18 hrs. Product obtained as a yellow solid (727 mg, 96%); ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 7.50 (app. t, J 8.8, 2H, H—Ar), 6.65 (d, J 8.0, 2H, H—Ar), 5.50 (heptet, J 7.2, 1H, CH₂═CH—CH₂), 4.63 (dt, J 6.8, 2.0, 1H, CH₂═CH—CH₂), 3.69 (dd, J 13.2, 9.2, 1H, CH₂═CH—CH₂), 3.39 (d, J 6.0, 1H, CH₂═CH—CH₂), 3.01 (s, 6H, N(CH₃)₂), 2.68 (d, J 12.0, 1H CH₂═CH—CH₂), 1.47 (d, J 14.0, 9H, PC(CH₃)₃), 1.39 (d, J 14.0, 9H, PC(CH₃)₃); ¹³C (CDCl₃, 100 MHz): δ 150.9, 136.7, 136.6, 116.9, 116.6, 115.2, 110.4, 110.3, 80.7, 80.4, 58.8, 39.9, 36.0, 30.6, 29.9; ³¹P NMR (CDCl₃, 162 MHz): δ 61.9. Elemental analysis, found: C, 51.44; H, 7.51; Cl, 7.54; P, 6.94; (theoretical C, 50.90; H, 7.42; Cl, 7.91; P, 6.91).

Pd(π-crotyl)(Amphos)Cl

[Pd(crotyl)Cl]₂ (132 mg, 0.34 mmol); P(t-Bu)₂(p-NMe₂C₆H₄) (180 mg, 0.68 mmol); THF (3.7 mL); 90 min. Product obtained as a yellow solid (263 mg, 85%); ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 7.52 (t, J 8.8, 2H), 6.65 (d, J 8.0, 2H), 5.25-5.17 (m, 1H), 4.40-4.29 (m, 1H), 3.21-3.19 (m, 1H), 3.00 (s, 3H), 2.47 (d, J 11.6, 1H), 1.77 (dd, J 8.4, 6.4, 3H), 1.44 (d, J 13.6, 9H), 1.38 (d, J 13.6, 9H); ¹³C (CDCl₃, 100 MHz): δ 150.9, 149.6, 136.9, 136.7, 117.1, 116.8, 114.1, 110.3, 99.8, 99.6, 53.5, 40.0, 35.8, 30.6, 29.9, 17.4; ³¹P NMR (CDCl₃, 162 MHz): δ 65.5; Elemental analysis, found: C, 51.93; H, 7.54; N, 2.84; P, 6.58; (theoretical C, 51.96; H, 7.63; N, 3.03; P, 6.70).

Pd(π-allyl)(Pt-Bu₂Ph)Cl

[Pd(π-allyl)Cl]₂ (100 mg, 0.27 mmol); Pt-Bu₂Ph.HBF₄ (169 mg, 0.55 mmol); toluene (1.5 mL), 18 hrs. The product was obtained as a yellow solid (217 mg, 98%); ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 7.90-7.68 (m, 5H, H—Ar), 5.51-5.42 (m, 1H, CH₂═CH—CH₂), 4.12 (d, J 6.4, 2H, CH₂═CH—CH₂), 3.05 (d, J 12.0, 2H, CH₂═CH—CH₂), 1.55 (d, J 16.8, PPh(CH₃)₂); ¹³C (CDCl₃, 100 MHz): δ 135.0, 130.5, 127.4, 116.0, 115.3, 111.2, 63.0, 34.4, 28.0; ³¹P NMR (CDCl₃, 162 MHz): δ 44.4.

Example 2

General Procedure for the Buchwald-Hartwig Coupling Reaction:

A Schlenk flask was charged with the catalyst, NaOtBu and aryl halide, if solid, and the flask was evacuated and backfilled with nitrogen three times. Subsequently, a solution of the aryl halide, if liquid, and the amine in toluene was added. The resulting reaction mixture was stirred under nitrogen at the indicated temperature for the indicated time, then the mixture was absorbed onto silica gel and purified by flash column chromatography (EtOAc/40-60 petroleum ether eluent).

The relative activities of Pd(π-allyl)QPhosCl and Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl were explored in a model C—N coupling reaction of 4-bromoanisole with N-methylaniline at room temperature (see Tables 1 and 2).

TABLE 1 Optimization and Activities of Pd(π-allyl)QPhosCl and Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl.^(a)

toluene time catalyst (mL) T (° C.) (hrs) conversion^(b) (%) Pd(π-allyl)QphosCl (1.0 mol %) 4.0 25 6 97 Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl (1.0 mol %) 4.0 25 3 100 Pd(π-allyl)QPhosCl (0.5 mol %) 4.0 25 23 54 Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl (0.5 mol %) 4.0 25 5 100 Pd(π-allyl)QPhosCl (0.5 mol %) 2.0 25 7 93 Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl (0.5 mol %) 2.0 25 1 100 ^(a)4-bromoanisole (1.6 mmol), N-methylaniline (2.0 mmol), NaOt-Bu (2.4 mmol) ^(b)GC/MS conversion.

Pd(allyl)QPhosCl on comparison with Pd(π-1-crotyl)QPhosCl at a lower concentration (0.5 mol %) gave 54% conversion after 23 hours vs 100% at 5 hours of reaction time. However, by keeping the catalyst loadings of Pd(allyl)QPhosCL at 0.5 mol % while increasing the concentration from 0.4 to 0.8M, 93% conversion was observed within 7 hours. The catalyst Pd(π-1-crotyl)QPhosCl gave 100% conversion to the product after 1 hour, demonstrating its superiority.

TABLE 2 Comparison of the Relative Activities of Pd(π-allyl)QPhosCl and Pd(π- crotyl)QPhosCl.^(a)

time Ar—X amine T (° C.) catalyst (hrs) conversion^(b) (%)

50 50 Pd(π-allyl)QPhosCl Pd(π-crotyl)OPhosCl 6.5 2  97 100

100 100 Pd(π-allyl)QPhosCl Pd(π-crotyl)OPhosCl 0.6 0.6  99  99 ^(a)aryl halide (1.6 mmol), amine (2.0 mmol), NaOt-Bu (2.4 mmol), tolune (2.0 mL) ^(b)GC/MS conversion.

Example 3

General Procedure for the Buchwald-Hartwig Coupling Reaction:

A Schlenk flask was charged with the catalyst, NaOtBu and aryl halide, if solid, and the flask was evacuated and backfilled with nitrogen three times. Subsequently, a solution of the aryl halide, if liquid, and the amine in toluene was added. The resulting reaction mixture was stirred under nitrogen at the indicated temperature for the indicated time, then the mixture was absorbed onto silica gel and purified by flash column chromatography (EtOAc/40-60 petroleum ether eluent).

TABLE 3 Reaction of 4-bromoanisole and N-methylaniline with various complexes

catalyst (mol %) T (° C.) time (hrs) Conversion^(a) (%) Pd(allyl)QPhosCl (1.0) 25 6 97 (96) Pd(allyl)P^(t)Bu₂PhCl (1.0) 25 22 8 (8) Pd(allyl)AmPhosCl (1.0) 25 22 18   Pd(1-crotyl)AmPhosCl (1.0) 25 22 95   Pd(prenyl)QPhosCl (1.0) 25 6 100 (99)  Pd(prenyl)QPhosCl (0.5) 25 22 100    Pd(cinnamyl)QPhosCl (1.0) 25 22 81 (66) Pd(1-crotyl)QPhosCl (1.0) 25 3 100 (99)  Pd(1-crotyl)QPhosCl (0.5) 25 18 99   Pd(1-crotyl)QPhosCl (0.1) 25 18 95   Pd(2-crotyl)QPhosCl (1.0) 25 18 62   ^(a)GC/MS conversion. Isolated yield in parentheses

In order to get an idea of the relative activities of the present catalysts, a C—N coupling reaction of 4-bromoanisole with N-methylaniline at room temperature was carried out. At 1 mol % palladium loading, the Q-Phos based catalysts Pd(π-allyl)QPhosCl, Pd(π-1-crotyl)QPhosCl and Pd(π-prenyl)QPhosCl all provided the product with conversions greater than 90% within 3-18 hours. The Pd(crotyl)QPhosCl complex gave the desired product in the highest conversion even at 0.1 mol % palladium loading, while Pd(π-prenyl)QPhosCl gave the second highest activity. Pd(π-1-crotyl)AmphosCl resulted in 95% conversion to the product with 22 hours of reaction time.

Example 4

Comparison of In Situ and Commercially Available Catalysts in C—N Coupling

A comparison of in situ and commercially available catalysts and catalytic systems in a C—N coupling reaction was carried out. In this reaction, N-methylaniline was coupled with 4-bromoanisole to give N-(4-bromophenyl)-N-methyl-phenylamine under the conditions set out in Table 4.

TABLE 4 Reaction of 4-bromoanisole and N-methylaniline substrates^(a) catalyst (mol %) T (° C.) time (hrs) Conversion^(b) (%)

Pd(π-1-crotyl)QPhosCl (1.0) Pd(π-1-crotyl)QPhosCl (0.5) Pd(π-1-crotyl)QPhosCl (0.1) Pd(π-allyl)QPhosCl (1.0) Pd₂(dba)₃ (0.25) QPhos (0.5) 25 25 25 25 25  3 18 18  6 21  3 100   99^(c)  95   97   53  Pd-113 (0.25)^(d) 25 23  80  Pd-116 (0.5)^(e) 25 21  55  Nolan's cat. (0.5) 25   0  Pd(OAc)₂ (0.5) 25 21   0  XPhos (0.5) ^(f) Pd(OAc)₂ (0.5) 25 23   0  QPhos (0.5) ^(a)amine (1.0 mmol), aryl halide (0.8 mmol), NaOtBu (1.2 mmol), toluene (2.0 mL) ^(b)GC/MS conversions ^(c)Average of three reactions ^(d)Pd-113 = [Pd(u-Br) ^(t)-Bu₃P)₂] ^(e)Pd-116 = ^(t)Bu₃P-Pd-P^(t)Bu₃ ^(f) XPhos = 2′,4′6′-triisopropylbiphenyl-2-dichlorohexylphosphine

Nolan's Catalyst

The Pd(1-crotyl)QPhos complex showed a superior activity to the other catalytic systems with a 99% conversion at 0.5 mol % catalyst loading and a 95% conversion at 0.1 mol % loading. The Pd(allyl)QPhosCl complex also provided the desired product with a good conversion.

Pd-113 showed good activity, however, the conversion in this case was lower than that of Pd(1-crotyl)QPhos and Pd(allyl)QPhosCl. In addition, Pd-113 is air- and moisture sensitive and has to be stored under a nitrogen atmosphere.

Example 5

Substrate Scope of C—N Coupling

General Procedure for the Buchwald-Hartwig Coupling Reaction

A Schlenk flask was charged with the catalyst, NaOt-Bu and aryl halide, if solid, and the flask was evacuated and backfilled with nitrogen three times. Subsequently, a solution of the aryl halide, if liquid, and the amine in toluene was added. The resulting reaction mixture was stirred under nitrogen at the indicated temperature and time (see Tables in communication). The crude mixture was absorbed onto silica gel (Merck Silica Gel 60 (0.040-0.063 mm)) and purified by flash column chromatography (MTBE/40-60 petroleum ether eluent).

TABLE 5 C—N Bond Formation Mediated by 0.5 mol % Pd(crotyl)QPhosCl^(a)

time Ar—X amine X T ° C. (h) product (%)

Br 110 20  

 65^(b)

Br Cl  25 100  1.5  0.5

 96^(c) 95

Br Cl  50 100 16    2.5

98 96

NHPh₂ Br Cl  25 100  3    3  

 84^(d)  68^(d)

Br  50  2  

91

Br Cl I  25 100  25  1    1   16  

93 98  95^(e)

Br  50  3  

88

Br  25  1  

97

Br Cl  50 100  2.5 21  

96  87^(f)

Br Cl  50 100 22    2.5

91 83

Cl  80  3  

 91^(c)

Br  80  4  

 93^(c)

Br Cl 100 100  1    1  

 83^(g)  92^(h)

Br 100  2  

 91^(g) ^(a)aryl halide (1.6 mmol), amine (2.0 mmol), NaOt—Bu (2.4 mmol), toluene (2.0 mL) ^(b)Using 2 mol % Pd(crotyl)QPhosCl ^(c)Using 1 mol % Pd(crotyl)QPhosCl ^(d)NMR yield of isolated mixture of excess diphenylamine and desired product ^(g)Unoptimized reaction time ^(f)GC/MS conversion ^(g)Using 0.05 mol % Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl ^(h)Using 0.1 mol % Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl.

Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl has been evaluated in several substrates for C—N coupling using a range of aryl halides with both primary and secondary amines (Table 5). The inventors have also demonstrated a number of examples of a chemoselective amination reaction of an aryl bromide in the presence of a chloride functionality. This was achieved by virtue of the fact that the aryl bromides required lower reaction temperatures than the aryl chlorides. In addition, Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl effected the amination of an aryl iodide, a substrate which has been considered to be a problematic coupling partner in Pd catalysed C—N bond formation processes.

The order of reactivity in aminations mediated by Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl appears to be the reverse to that observed in conventional Pd mediated coupling reactions. In this respect, electronrich aryl halides are aminated in higher yields at shorter reaction times than the electron-deficient electrophiles. Noteworthy is the amination of a very electron-rich tris-methoxybromobenzene in 65% yield.

As can be seen from Table 6, heterocyclic halides have also been successfully coupled.

TABLE 6 C—N Bond Formation using Heterocyclic Halides Mediated by 2 mol % Pd(crotyl)QPhosCl^(a)

Ar—X amine X T ° C. time (h) product yield(%)

Br Cl 100 100  3.5  3.5

94 86

Br Cl 100 100  2    2.5

79 88

Br  50 3h

83

Br Br Cl 100  25 100  3   18    3  

90  76^(b) 57

Br 25 20  

44 ^(a)aryl halide (1.6 mmol), amine (2.0 mmol), NaOt—Bu (2.4 mmol), toluene (2.0 mL) ^(b)Isolated yield using 1 mol % Pd(crotyl)QPhosCl. Unreacted aryl bromide could be detected by TLC before purification, indicating an incomplete reaction.

Pyridine-, pyrimidine- and thiophene halides gave C—N coupled products in good yields at 100° C. The reaction using 3-bromothiophene has been demonstrated at room temperature.

Experimental Data for the Products Detailed in Tables 5 and 6

2-CO₂Me-3′,4′,5-trimethoxy-diphenylamine

Methyl anthranilate (390 μL, 3.0 mmol); 5-bromo-1,2,3-trimethoxybenzene (594 mg, 2.3 mmol); NaOtBu (345 mg, 3.6 mmol); Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl (43.5 mg, 0.06 mmol, 2.0 mol %); toluene (5.0 mL). The general procedure afforded the title compound as an off-white solid (462 mg, 65%); ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 9.39 (br s, 1H), 7.96 (dd, J 4.4, 1.6, 1H), 7.33 (dd, J 6.8, 1.6, 1H), 7.21 (d, J 8.4, 1H), 6.73 (dd, J 8.0, 0.8, 1H), 6.49 (s, 2H), 3.91 (s, 3H), 3.85 (s, 3H), 3.83 (s, 6H); ¹³C (CDCl₃, 100 MHz): δ 169.0, 153.8, 148.4, 136.6, 134.6, 134.2, 131.6, 116.9, 114.1, 111.6, 100.7, 61.0, 56.1, 51.8; Elemental analysis, found: C, 64.30; H, 6.06; N, 4.41; (theoretical: C, 64.34; H, 6.03; N, 4.41).

N-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-N-(p-methoxy)amine

4-bromoanisole (200 μL, 1.6 mmol) or 4-chloroanisole (196 μL, 1.6 mmol); 2,6-diisopropylaniline (377 μL, 2.0 mmol); NaOtBu (230 mg, 2.4 mmol); Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl (X=Br; 14.4 mg, 0.016 mmol, 1.0 mol %) or Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl (X=Cl; 7.2 mg, 0.008 mmol, 0.5 mol %); toluene (2.0 mL). The general procedure afforded the title compound in 96% yield (434 mg; X=Br) and 95% yield (429 mg; X=Cl); ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 7.29-7.19 (m, 3H), 6.73 (d, J 6.8, 2H), 6.44 (d, J 6.8, 2H), 4.95 (br s, 1H), 3.73 (s, 3H), 3.19 (heptet, J 6.8, 2H), 1.14 (d, J 7.2, 12H); ¹³C (CDCl₃, 100 MHz): δ 152.2, 147.1, 142.2, 136.0, 126.7, 123.8, 115.0, 114.2, 55.7, 28.0, 23.8; Elemental analysis, found: C, 80.95; H, 9.05; N, 5.03; (theoretical: C, 80.52; H, 8.89; N, 4.94).

N-(4-methoxyphenyl)morpholine

4-bromoanisole (200 μL, 1.6 mmol) or 4-chloroanisole (196 μL, 1.6 mmol); morpholine (175 μL, 2.0 mmol); NaOtBu (230 mg, 2.4 mmol); Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl (7.2 mg, 0.008 mmol, 0.5 mol %); toluene (2.0 mL). The general procedure afforded the title compound in 98% yield (302 mg; X=Br) and 96% yield (297 mg; X=Cl).

N-(4-methoxyphenyl)diphenylamine

4-bromoanisole (200 μL, 1.6 mmol) or 4-chloroanisole (196 μL, 1.6 mmol); diphenylaniline (338 mg, 2.0 mmol); NaOtBu (230 mg, 2.4 mmol); Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl (7.2 mg, 0.008 mmol, 0.5 mol %); toluene (2.0 mL). The general procedure afforded the title compound in 84% yield (370 mg; X=Br) and 68% yield (298 mg; X=Cl).

4-Methoxydiphenylamine

4-bromoanisole (200 μL, 1.6 mmol); aniline (182 μL, 2.0 mmol); NaOtBu (230 mg, 2.4 mmol); Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl (7.2 mg, 0.008 mmol, 0.5 mol %); toluene (2.0 mL). The general procedure afforded the title compound in 91% yield (288 mg).

N-(4-methoxyphenyl)-N-methylaniline

4-bromoanisole (200 μL, 1.6 mmol), 4-chloroanisole (196 μL, 1.6 mmol) or 4-iodoanisole (374 mg, 1.6 mmol); N-methylaniline (217 μL, 2.0 mmol); NaOtBu (230 mg, 2.4 mmol); Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl (7.2 mg, 0.008 mmol, 0.5 mol %); toluene (2.0 mL). The general procedure afforded the title compound in 93% yield (315 mg; X=Br), 98% yield (335 mg; X=Cl) and 95% yield (325 mg; X=I).

4-chloro-2-methyldiphenyl-methylamine

2-bromo-5-chlorotoluene (213 μL, 1.6 mmol); N-methylaniline (217 μL, 2.0 mmol); NaOtBu (230 mg, 2.4 mmol); Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl (7.2 mg, 0.008 mmol, 0.5 mol %); toluene (2.0 mL). The general procedure afforded the title compound in 88% yield (324 mg); ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 7.27 (d, J 2.0, 1H), 7.21-7.16 (m, 3H), 7.07 (d, J 8.4, 1H), 6.73 (t, J 7.2, 1H), 6.53 (d, J 8.0, 2H), 3.19 (s, 3H), 2.11 (s, 3H); ¹³C (CDCl₃, 100 MHz) δ 146.5, 143.1, 136.4, 129.1, 128.9, 127.2, 126.7, 125.3, 114.9, 110.7, 36.8, 15.5; Elemental analysis, found: C, 72.31; H, 6.13; N, 6.05; (theoretical: C, 72.57; H, 6.09; N, 6.04).

3-chloro-4-methyldiphenyl-methylamine

4-bromo-2-chlorotoluene (217 μL, 1.6 mmol); N-methylaniline (217 μL, 2.0 mmol); NaOtBu (230 mg, 2.4 mmol); Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl (7.2 mg, 0.008 mmol, 0.5 mol %); toluene (2.0 mL). The general procedure afforded the title compound in 97% yield (358 mg); ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 7.30-7.26 (m, 2H), 7.08 (d, J 8.4, 1H), 7.02-6.96 (m, 4H), 6.79 (dd, J 8.4, 2.4, 1H), 3.27 (s, 3H), 2.30 (s, 3H); ¹³C (CDCl₃, 100 MHz): δ 148.7, 148.1, 134.7, 131.2, 129.4, 128.2, 121.9, 121.0, 120.3, 118.5, 40.4, 19.2; Elemental analysis, found: C, 72.01; H, 6.04; N, 5.98; (theoretical: C, 72.57; H, 6.09; N, 6.04).

N-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-N-(o-tolyl)amine

2-bromotoluene (274 mg, 1.6 mmol) or 2-chlorotoluene (168 μL, 1.6 mmol); 2,6-diisopropylaniline (377 μL, 2.0 mmol); NaOtBu (230 mg, 2.4 mmol); Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl (7.2 mg, 0.008 mmol, 0.5 mol %); toluene (2.0 mL). The general procedure afforded the title compound in 96% yield (410 mg; X=Br) and 87% conversion (X=Cl).

2-Methyldiphenylamine

2-bromotoluene (274 mg, 1.6 mmol) or 2-chlorotoluene (168 μL, 1.6 mmol); aniline (182 μL, 2.0 mmol); NaOtBu (230 mg, 2.4 mmol); Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl (7.2 mg, 0.008 mmol, 0.5 mol %); toluene (2.0 mL). The general procedure afforded the title compound in 91% yield (267 mg; X=Br) and 83% yield (242 mg; X=Cl).

3-Methoxydiphenylamine

3-chloroanisole (196 μL, 1.6 mmol); aniline (182 μL, 2.0 mmol); NaOtBu (230 mg, 2.4 mmol); Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl (14.4 mg, 0.016 mmol, 1.0 mol %); toluene (2.0 mL). The general procedure afforded the title compound as a white solid in 91% yield (290 mg).

4-Cyanodiphenylamine

4-bromobenzonitrile (292 mg, 1.6 mmol); aniline (182 μL, 2.0 mmol); NaOtBu (230 mg, 2.4 mmol); Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl (14.4 mg, 0.016 mmol, 1.0 mol %); toluene (2.0 mL). The general procedure afforded the title compound as an off-white solid (288 mg, 93%).

2-aniline-pyridine

2-bromopyridine (153 μL, 1.6 mmol) or 2-chloropyridine (151 μL, 1.6 mmol); aniline (182 μL, 2.0 mmol); NaOtBu (230 mg, 2.4 mmol); Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl (28.8 mg, 0.032 mmol, 2.0 mol %); toluene (2.0 mL). The general procedure afforded the title compound in 94% yield (257 mg; X=Br) and 86% yield (235 mg; X=Cl): ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 8.20 (d, J 4.0, 1H), 7.50-7.46 (m, 1H), 7.33 (d, J 4.0, 4H), 7.08-7.02 (m, 2H), 6.89 (d, J 8.4, 1H), 6.74-6.71 (m, 1H); ¹³C (CDCl₃, 100 MHz): δ 156.1, 148.4, 140.6, 137.7, 132.5, 129.3, 122.8, 120.7, 120.4, 115.0, 108.2; Elemental analysis, found: C, 77.11; H, 5.99; N, 16.20; (theoretical: C, 77.62; H, 5.92; N, 16.46).

3-aniline-pyridine

3-bromopyridine (154 μL, 1.6 mmol) or 3-chloropyridine (152 μL, 1.6 mmol); aniline (182 μL, 2.0 mmol); NaOtBu (230 mg, 2.4 mmol); Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl (28.8 mg, 0.032 mmol, 2.0 mol %); toluene (2.0 mL). The general procedure afforded the title compound in 79% yield (215 mg; X=Br) and 88% yield (239 mg; X=Cl): ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 8.38 (d, J 2.0, 1H), 8.15 (d, J 4.0, 1H), 7.42 (d, J 7.2, 1H), 7.30 (t, J 7.6, 2H), 7.16 (dd, J 8.0, 4.4, 1H), 7.08 (d, J 8.0, 2H), 6.99 (t, J 7.2, 1H), 6.01 (br s, 1H); ¹³C (CDCl₃, 100 MHz): δ 142.0, 141.8, 140.1, 139.9, 129.6, 123.8, 123.4, 122.0, 118.3; Elemental analysis, found: C, 77.19; H, 6.02; N, 15.96; (theoretical: C, 77.62; H, 5.92; N, 16.46).

2-N-Methylaniline-pyrimidine

2-bromopyrimidine (127 mg, 0.8 mmol); N-methylaniline (109 μL, 1.0 mmol); NaOtBu (115 mg, 1.2 mmol); Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl (14.4 mg, 0.016 mmol, 2.0 mol %); toluene (1.0 mL). The general procedure afforded the title compound in 83% yield (123 mg): ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 8.34 (d, J 4.4, 2H), 7.42 (t, J 8.0, 2H), 7.32 (d, J 7.6, 2H), 7.24-7.22 (m, 1H), 6.57 (t, J 4.8, 1H), 3.53 (s, 3H); ¹³C (CDCl₃, 100 MHz): δ 162.0, 157.7, 145.5, 129.2, 126.6, 125.9, 110.8, 38.7; Elemental analysis, found: C, 71.33; H, 6.08; N, 22.51; (theoretical: C, 71.33; H, 5.99; N, 22.69).

2-(N-Methyl-N-phenylamino)thiophene

3-bromothiophene (150 μL, 1.6 mmol) or 3-chlorothiophene (149 μL, 1.6 mmol); N-methylaniline (217 μL, 2.0 mmol); NaOtBu (230 mg, 2.4 mmol); Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl (28.8 mg, 0.032 mmol, 2.0 mol %); toluene (2.0 mL). The general procedure afforded the title compound in 90% yield (272 mg; X=Br) and 57% yield (172 mg; X=Cl): ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 7.27-7.20 (m, 3H); 7.01 (d, J 7.6, 2H), 6.91 (t, J 7.6, 1H), 6.87 (dd, J 5.2, 1.6, 1H), 6.57 (dd, J 3.2, 1.2, 1H), 3.29 (s, 3H); ¹³C (CDCl₃, 100 MHz) δ 149.3, 148.4, 129.1, 124.9, 123.3, 120.7, 118.8, 107.8, 41.0; Elemental analysis, found: C, 70.13; H, 5.84; N, 7.32; (theoretical: C, 69.80; H, 5.86; N, 7.40).

2-Chloro-5-N-methylaniline-thiophene

2-bromo-5-chlorothiophene (175 μL, 1.6 mmol); N-methylaniline (217 μL, 2.0 mmol); NaOtBu (230 mg, 2.4 mmol); Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl (28.8 mg, 0.032 mmol, 2.0 mol %); toluene (2.0 mL); 25° C.; 20 hrs. The general procedure afforded the title compound as an off-white oil in 44% yield (155 mg): ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 7.26-7.23 (m, 2H), 6.94-6.88 (m, 3H), 6.70 (d, J 4.0, 1H), 6.44 (d, J 4.0, 1H), 3.28 (s, 3H); ¹³C (CDCl₃, 100 MHz): δ 151.3, 148.8, 129.1, 124.6, 123.3, 120.3, 119.1, 116.1, 41.8; Elemental analysis, found: C, 59.28; H, 4.54; N, 6.29; (theoretical: C, 59.05; H, 4.51; N, 6.26).

4-methyldiphenyl-methylamine

4-bromotoluene (274 mg, 1.6 mmol); N-methylaniline (217 μL, 2.0 mmol); NaOtBu (230 mg, 2.4 mmol); Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl (0.7 mg, 0.0008, 0.05 mol %); toluene (0.5 mL). The general procedure afforded the title compound in 83% yield (261 mg): ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 7.24-7.20 (m, 2H), 7.11 (d, J 8.4, 2H), 7.01-6.97 (m, 2H), 6.91 (app. d, J 7.6, 2H), 6.86 (app. t, J 7.6, 1H), 3.28 (s, 3H), 2.31 (s, 3H); ¹³C (CDCl₃, 100 MHz): δ 149.4, 146.6, 132.1, 130.0, 129.1, 122.6, 119.8, 118.2, 40.4, 20.8; Elemental analysis, found: C, 85.25; H, 7.75; N, 7.29; (theoretical: C, 85.24; H, 7.66; N, 7.10).

N-4-toluene-2,6-diisopropylaniline

4-bromotoluene (274 mg, 1.6 mmol); 2,6-diisopropylaniline (377 μL, 2.0 mmol); NaOtBu (230 mg, 2.4 mmol); Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl (0.7 mg, 0.0008, 0.05 mol %); toluene (0.5 mL). The general procedure afforded the title compound in 91% yield (387 mg): ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 7.30-7.25 (m, 1H), 7.22-7.19 (m, 2H), 6.94 (d, J 8.0, 2H), 6.39 (d, J 8.4, 2H), 5.02 (br s, 1H), 3.19 (heptet, J 6.8, 2H), 2.23 (s, 3H), 1.13 (d, J 6.8, 12H); ¹³C (CDCl₃, 100 MHz): δ 147.4, 145.9, 135.6, 129.8, 127.0, 126.9, 123.9, 113.1, 28.2, 23.9, 20.5; Elemental analysis, found: C, 85.22; H, 9.45; N, 5.29; (theoretical: C, 85.34; H, 9.42; N, 5.24).

Example 6

N-Arylations at Low Catalyst Loadings of Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl

The arylation of amines at lower catalyst loadings were evaluated (Table 7) and, in this respect, reactions carried out with 0.05 or 0.1 mol % loading were successfully achieved.

TABLE 7 N-Arylations at Low Catalyst Loadings of Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl.^(a)

catalyst loading yield Ar—X amine X (mol %) product (%)

Br Cl 0.05, 1 h 0.10, 1 h

83 92

Cl Cl  0.05, 16 hrs   0.1, 2 hrs

 90^(b) 95

Br   0.05, 2 hrs

91 ^(a)aryl halide (1.6 mmol), amine (2.0 mmol), NaOt—Bu (2.4 mmol), toluene (0.5 mL) ^(b)GC/MS conversion.

See Example 5 for the experimental data for the products listed in Table 7

Example 7

Synthesis of the Toddaliopsin Framework

The synthesis of the toddaliopsin framework was realised by implementing a Pd(π-1-crotyl)QPhosCl catalysed aryl amination step incorporating a very electronrich aryl bromide. As can be seen, the C—N coupling reaction proceeded smoothly to provide the required product in 65% yield.

Example 8

General Procedure for the α-Arylation Reaction of Aldehydes:

A Schlenk flask was charged with the catalyst, Cs₂CO₃ and aryl halide, if solid, and the flask was evacuated and backfilled with nitrogen three times. Subsequently, a solution of the aryl halide, if liquid, and the aldehyde in solvent were added. The resulting reaction mixture was stirred under nitrogen at the indicated temperature for the indicated time, then the mixture was absorbed onto silica gel and purified by flash column chromatography (EtOAc/40-60 petroleum ether eluent).

Example 9

General Procedure for the α-Arylation of Ketones:

A Schlenk flask was charged with the catalyst, NaOtBu and aryl halide, if solid, and the flask was evacuated and backfilled with nitrogen three times. Subsequently, the aryl halide (if liquid), followed by ketone and solvent were added via syringe. The resulting reaction mixture was stirred under nitrogen at the indicated temperature for 18 hours, then the mixture was absorbed onto silica gel and purified by flash column chromatography (MTBE/40-60 petroleum ether eluent).

TABLE 8 α-arylation of ketones

catalyst (mol %) solvent T (° C.) time (hrs) Conversion^(a) (%) Pd(allyl)QPhosCl (1.0) THF 60 17 76 Pd(1-crotyl)QPhosCl (1.0) THF 60 17 99^(b) (85) Pd(1-crotyl)QPhosCl (0.25) THF 60 17 (90) Pd(dba)₂/QPhos (0.25) (Comparative) THF 60 17 (80) Pd(OAc)₂/QPhos (0.25) (Comparative) THF 60 17 (85) Pd-118 (0.25) (Comparative)^(c) THF 60 17 (64) ^(a)Conversion using GC/MS. Isolated yield in parenthesis ^(b)All starting material consumed ^(c)Pd-118 = dichloro[1,1′-bis(di-tert-butylphosphino)]ferrocene palladium (II)

It can be seen from the results in the above table that the Pd(π-1-crotyl)QPhosCl precatalyst provided the best results in the α-arylation reaction. Moreover, in comparison with in situ generated QPhos based catalysts, the preformed complexes exhibited comparable or superior activities.

Example 10

Substrate Scope for the α-Arylation of Ketones

It was demonstrated that the mono-arylation of propiophenone proceeded smoothly using a range of electronrich and -neutral aryl halides and the Pd(π-1-crotyl)QPhosCl catalyst. Substituents were tolerated in the ortho- and meta- as well as the para-position of the aryl moiety.

TABLE 9 Substrate scope for the α-arylation of ketones

X = Br 90% yield^(b) 76% yield^(a) 63% yield^(a) (0.25 mol %, 60° C.) (0.25 mol %, 60° C.) (0.25 mol %, 60° C.) X = Cl 82% yield 61% yield^(a) 65% yield^(a) (1.0 mol %, 100° C.) (0.25 mol %, 100° C.) (1.0 mol %, 100° C.)

X = Br 88% yield^(a) 99% yield^(a) (0.25 mol %, 60° C.) (1.0 mol %, 60° C.) ^(a)Product co-running with propiophenone. Yield given is NMR yield from isolated mixture of product and propiophenone ^(b)Average yield from 3 reactions

Example 11

α-Arylation of 1-Tetralone

General Procedure

A Schlenk flask was charged with Pd(X)LCl (0.05 mol %, 0.001 mmol) and NaOt-Bu (365 mg, 3.8 mmol). The flask was evacuated and backfilled with nitrogen three times, then dioxane (2.0 ml), 4-chloroanisole (245 μL, 2.0 mmol) and α-tetralone (266 μL, 2.0 mmol) were added. The reaction mixture was stirred for 16 hours, then an aliquot was removed for analysis by GC/MS.

The activities of the π-allyl catalysts bearing the QPhos and P(t-Bu)₂(p-NMe₂C₆H₄) ligands were evaluated in the π-arylation of cyclic ketone 1-tetralone. Pd(allyl)QPhosCl provided the product in 80% conversion after 3 hours reaction time, whereas Pd(allyl)P(t-Bu)₂(p-NMe₂C₆H₄)Cl gave 96% conversion after the same time (Table 10, entries 1 and 2). The product was isolated in 91% yield after an overnight reaction using catalyst loading as low as 0.05 mol % of Pd(allyl)P(t-Bu)₂(p-NMe₂C₆H₄)Cl (entry 3).

TABLE 10 α-Arylation of 1-Tetralone Using 0.05 mol % Pd Loading.^(a)

entry catalyst time (hours) conversion (%)^(b) 1 Pd(allyl)QPhosCl 3 80 2 Pd(allyl)P(t-Bu)₂(p-NMe₂C₆H₄)Cl 3 96 3 Pd(allyl)P(t-Bu)₂(p-NMe₂C₆H₄)Cl 22  100(91) ^(a)4-chloroanisole (2.0 mmol), 1-tetralone (2.0 mmol), NaOt—Bu (3.8 mmol), dioxane (2.0 mL). ^(b)GC/MS conversion. Average of two runs. Isolated yield in parenthesis.

Example 12

Suzuki Coupling Reactions

General Procedure for the Suzuki Reaction:

A Schlenk flask was charged with the catalyst, KOtBu (1.2 eq), boronic acid (1.1 eq) and aryl halide (1.0 eq), if solid, and the flask was evacuated and backfilled with nitrogen three times. Subsequently, the aryl halide (if liquid) and solvent were added via syringe. The resulting reaction mixture was stirred under nitrogen at the indicated temperature, then the crude reaction mixture was analysed by GC/MS.

TABLE 11 Suzuki coupling reactions

X solvent C (M) loading (mol %) time (h) T (° C.) conversion (%)^(a) Br toluene:H₂O (4:1) 0.8 0.01 20 100 100 Br toluene:H₂O (4:1) 0.8 1.0 1 25 100 Cl toluene 0.27 1.0 20 80 68 ^(a)conversion into product, taking into account deboronated product formed.

The high activity of Pd(crotyl)Q-PhosCl was subsequently demonstrated in the sterically challenging Suzuki reaction of bromomesitylene and 1-naphthalene boronic acid. This coupling could be carried out at ambient temperature with 100% GC conversion and 86% isolated yield within 45 minutes of the reaction time.

Example 13

Aryl Chlorides in Suzuki Coupling

Extending the scope of the substrates to aryl chlorides, the coupling product of 4-chloroanisole with 4-tert-butylbenzene boronic acid gave 90% conversion (Table 12, entry 1) using the same reaction conditions as for the aryl bromides, but at 80° C. The present inventors also decided to investigate the base effect and the use of heterocyclic chlorides employing the π-allyl catalysts in comparison with the use of PdCl₂(P(t-Bu)₂(p-NMe₂C₆H₄))₂ as reported by Guram (Guram et al, Org. Lett., 2006, 8, 1787). Substituting K₂CO₃ for KOt-Bu in the case of 4-chloroanisole provided the coupling product in relatively low conversions, using both Pd(crotyl)QPhosCl and Pd(allyl)P(t-Bu)₂(p-NMe₂C₆H₄)Cl (entries 2 and 3). However, employing 2-chlorothiophene in the Suzuki reaction, it was found that the yield of the product was comparable to the Guram conditions for PdCl₂(P(t-Bu)₂(p-NMe₂C₆H₄))₂ and the new Pd(allyl) P(t-Bu)₂(p-NMe₂C₆H₄)Cl (entries 4-5, 6-7, 8-9), demonstrating that a Pd:L ratio of 1:1 was sufficient for an efficient reaction. Using the reaction conditions developed for the aryl bromides, 2-chlorothiophene was coupled with 4-tert-butyl-benzene boronic acid to obtain 52% yield, with Pd(crotyl)QPhosCl catalyst (entry 10). The same reaction gave a lower yield (33%) under the Guram conditions (entry 11). For chloropyridine substrate, Pd(π-allyl)AmphosCl gave 73% yield (entry 13).

The described investigation of aryl chlorides in Suzuki coupling illustrates the importance of a careful choice of the catalyst and the reaction conditions to get the optimized yields.

TABLE 12 Aryl Chlorides in Suzuki Coupling.^(a)

yield Entry catalyst conditions RB(OH)₂ Ar—Cl (%)^(a) 1 1 mol % Pd(1-crotyl) QPhosCl A

 90^(b) 2 1 mol % Pd(1-crotyl) QPhosCl B

 38^(b) 3 1 mol % Pd(allyl) AmphosCl B

 29^(b) 4     5^(c) 1 mol % Pd(allyl) AmphosCl 1 mol % Pd-132 B

64     68 6     7^(c) 1 mol % Pd(allyl) AmphosCl 1 mol % Pd-132 B

70     84 8     9^(c) 0.01 mol % Pd(allyl) AmphosCl 0.01 mol % Pd-132 B

85     79 10 1 mol % Pd(1-crotyl) QPhosCl A

52 11 1 mol % Pd(1-crotyl) QPhosCl B

33 12 1 mol % Pd(1-crotyl) AmphosCl B

29 13 1 mol % Pd(allyl) AmphosCl B

73 ^(a)Conditions A: aryl chloride (1.6 mmol), boronic acid (1.76 mmol), KOt—Bu (1.92 mmol), toluene (1.8 mL), water (0.2 mL), 80° C. Conditions B: aryl chloride (1.0 mmol), boronic acid (1.2 mmol), K₂CO₃ (2.0 mmol), toluene (5.0 mL), water (0.5 mL), 100° C. Isolated yield. ^(b)GC/MS conversion. ^(c)Pd-132; PdCl₂[P(t-Bu)₂(p-NMe₂C₆H₄)]₂.

In the Suzuki coupling reactions, the present inventors have been the first to demonstrate that K₂CO₃ can be used as the base in conjunction with π-allyl precatalysts. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A complex of formula (1):

wherein: M is palladium or nickel; R₁ and R₂ are, independently, C₁-C₂₀ straight-chain alkyl, C₁-C₂₀ branched-chain alkyl, C₃-C₁₅ cycloalkyl, C₅-C₂₀ aryl, or C₃-C₂₀ heteroaryl; R₃ is: (a) dimethylaminophenyl; or (b) a substituted metallocenyl of formula (2):

wherein: R₁₀ is C₁-C₂₀ alkyl, C₆-C₂₀ aryl, (C₁-C₂₀ alkyl)HN—, (C₁-C₂₀ dialkyl)N—, (C₁-C₂₀ dialkyl)amino-C₁-C₂₀-alkyl or C₁-C₂₀ alkoxy-C₁-C₂₀-alkyl; R₁₁ is C₁-C₂₀ alkyl or C₆-C₂₀ aryl; p is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein when p is 2, 3 or 4, each R₁₀ is the same or different; q is 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein each R₁₁ is the same or different, R₄ is C₁-C₂₀ straight-chain alkyl, C₁-C₂₀ branched-chain alkyl, C₃-C₁₅ cycloalkyl, C₆-C₂₀ aryl, or C₅-C₂₀ heteroaryl, n is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5; and X is a halo group, each alkyl, alkoxy, heteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl is optionally substituted with one or more halo, C(halo)₃, R^(a), ═O, ═S, OR^(a), SR^(a), NR^(a)R^(b), ═NR^(a), ═N—OR^(a), CN, SCN, NCS, NO₂, C(O)R^(a), C(O)OR^(a), C(S)R^(a), C(S)OR^(a), S(O)₂OH, S(O)₂R^(a), S(O)₂NR^(a)R^(b), OS(O)R^(a), or C(O)NR^(a)R^(b), wherein: R^(a) and R^(b) are, independently, H, C₁₋₂₀ alkyl, C₆₋₂₀ aryl, C₆₋₂₀ aryl-(C₁₋₂₀alkyl), or C₁₋₂₀ heteroalkyl, C₆₋₂₀ heteroaryl, or together with the atom to which they are attached form a C₃₋₁₅ heterocycloalkyl; and the heteroatoms in the heteroaryl, heteroalkyl or heterocycloalkyl are sulfur, oxygen, or nitrogen.
 2. The complex according to claim 1, wherein M is palladium.
 3. The complex according to claim 1, wherein R₃ is dimethylaminophenyl.
 4. The complex according to claim 1, wherein R₃ is of formula (3):

wherein: R₁₁ is C₁₋₂₀ alkyl or aryl; and q is 2, 3, 4 or
 5. 5. The complex according to claim 1, wherein: R₁₁ is phenyl, naphthyl, methoxyphenyl, halophenyl, methylphenyl, or F₃C-phenyl; and q is 4 or
 5. 6. The complex according to claim 1, wherein: R₁₁ is phenyl, methoxyphenyl, methylphenyl, or F₃C-phenyl; and q is 4 or
 5. 7. The complex according to claim 1, wherein R₃ is of formula (4):


8. The complex according to claim 1, that is:


9. A method for preparing a complex of formula (1),

comprising the step of reacting a complex of formula (5) with PR₁R₂R₃,

wherein: M is palladium or nickel; R₁ and R₂ are, independently, C₁-C₂₀ straight-chain alkyl, C₁-C₂₀ branched-chain alkyl, C₃-C₁₅ cycloalkyl, C₅-C₂₀ aryl, or C₃-C₂₀ heteroaryl; R₃ is: (a) dimethylaminophenyl; or (b) a substituted metallocenyl of formula (2):

wherein: R₁₀ is C₁-C₂₀ alkyl, C₆-C₂₀ aryl, (C₁-C₂₀ alkyl)HN—, (C₁-C₂₀ dialkyl)N—, (C₁-C₂₀ dialkyl)amino-C₁-C₂₀-alkyl or C₁-C₂₀ alkoxy-C₁-C₂₀-alkyl; R₁₁ is C₁-C₂₀ alkyl or C₆-C₂₀ aryl; p is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein when p is 2, 3 or 4, each R₁₀ is the same or different; q is 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein each R₁₁ is the same or different; R₄ is C₁-C₂₀ straight-chain alkyl, C₁-C₂₀ branched-chain alkyl, C₃-C₁₅ cycloalkyl, C₆-C₂₀ aryl, or C₅-C₂₀ heteroaryl; n is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5; X is a halo group; each alkyl, alkoxy, heteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl is optionally substituted with one or more halo, C(halo)₃, R^(a), ═O, ═S, OR^(a), SR^(a), NR^(a)R^(b), ═NR^(a), ═N—OR^(a), CN, SCN, NCS, NO₂, C(O)R^(a), C(O)OR^(a), C(S)R^(a), C(S)OR^(a), S(O)₂OH, S(O)₂R^(a), S(O)₂NR^(a)R^(b), OS(O)R^(a), or C(O)NR^(a)R^(b), wherein: R^(a) and R^(b) are, independently, H, C₁₋₂₀ alkyl, C₆₋₂₀ aryl, C₆₋₂₀ aryl-(C₁₋₂₀alkyl), or C₁₋₂₀ heteroalkyl, C₆₋₂₀ heteroaryl, or together with the atom to which they are attached form a C₃₋₁₅ heterocycloalkyl; and the heteroatoms in the heteroaryl, heteroalkyl or heterocycloalkyl are sulfur, oxygen or nitrogen.
 10. The complex according to claim 1, wherein: (a) both R₁ and R₂ are tert-butyl; (b) R₄ is phenyl or methyl and n is 1 or 2; (c) n is 0; (d) X is chlorine; (e) two or more of (a), (b), and (d); or (f) two or more of (a), (c), and (d). 